Disc toss game

ABSTRACT

A disc toss game which includes a target box of frusto-conical configuration with a false bottom interposed between the top and bottom edges. An upstanding conical tube is disposed within the target box and is mounted coaxially within the false bottom and coaxially with the target box. The target box has an outer perimeter defined by chamfered edges. The top end of the conical tube is coplanar with the edges of the target box.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a utility application based upon Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/202,965, filed May 10, 2000, and entitled “DISC TOSS GAME”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an improved disc-toss game assembly which incorporates stackable, telescoping receivers each with a disc-receiving target comprising an upright tubular member with an elevated false bottom and an open top. The object of the game is for the individual participants to stand at a predetermined distance from the target retaining receiver and then throw and/or toss the individual discs toward the target, with the objective being to have the disc enter the open top of the tubular target.

[0003] The tubular member extends vertically upward from an intermediate supporting surface or false bottom in the receiver, the surface being adapted to receive or otherwise retain those discs which are tossed and come close but fail to enter the tubular target. In other words, they are nevertheless sufficiently close to be within the area of the intermediate surface. The bottom of the receiver tube is preferably frusto-conical in configuration and dimensioned so that individual receivers may be stacked, one upon the other, with the configuration of the receiver box as well as the configuration of the receiver tube being configured and dimensioned to accommodate telescopic stacking.

[0004] In the past, various disc-toss games have been proposed and utilized. As employed herein, the term “disc” is used in a comprehensive sense, and is intended to include both disc-shaped objects as well as toroidal configured objects. The individual discs are typically solid plastic and may be covered with a soft, resilient coating in order to permit convenient handling as well as to avoid the use of sharp-edged objects which are tossed. Such discs and rings have been resiliently covered and employed in games in the past.

[0005] The receivers of prior art have been made in a variety of configurations, including tubular-shaped and conically-shaped receivers. In addition, ring-toss games have been proposed wherein the disc receiving standpipe is positioned in angularly disposed relationship to a vertical axis. The present arrangement provides significant advantages to enhance the play of the disc-toss game as well as to provide significant advantages in stacking and storing those individual components which comprise the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a disc-toss game utilizes stackable telescoping receivers with a stationary vertically upright standpipe target in the form of a frusto-conical tubular member with an open disc or ring receiving top. Additionally, the stackable receiver utilizes an intermediate supporting surface through which the conical-tubular target or standpipe extends, with this surface being adapted to receive and hold those discs which are tossed and drop close to the open-top target, but which fail to enter the target. In order to provide convenience in storing the game device when not in use, the entire receiver assembly is arranged to be telescopically stackable, thereby reducing the area and volume required for storage.

[0007] Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved disc-toss game arrangement, which includes the feature of stackable telescopically engaging receivers with a vertically disposed standpipe target mounted within the receiver assembly.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved disc-toss game arrangement which includes a plurality of stackable telescopically engageable receiver assemblies, each being provided with a vertically disposed open-top standpipe to function as a receiver and target receiver for the discs being tossed by the game participants.

[0009] Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the accompanying specification and drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a stackable telescoping receiver assembly, and showing the open-top standpipe receiver protruding along a vertical axis and showing an exploded view, a typical ring and/or disc used by the participants;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the receiver assembly;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating the suggested spacing between individual, cubical receiver cubes and individuals falling within various age groups.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and with particular attention being directed to FIG. 1, the stackable telescoping receiver assembly generally designated 10, comprises a frustoconical square tube forming a form of a modified receiver cube member 11 having an upper constricted zone or portion 12 along with a lower portion 13 of expanded, lateral dimension, and an axis extending therebetween. An intermediate false bottom or supporting surface 15 is provided through which extends a target standpipe 16, this being a frusto-conical tubular member with an open top as at 17 and an axis extending therethrough. Two individual disc designs are shown in exploded disposition such as at 18 and 19, with these discs being suitable alternatives for use as ring or disc toss members. Preferably, discs 18 and/or 19 of solid plastic and may be coated with a suitable resilient coating such as a silicone rubber, durable and rigid plastisol, or the like. The outer peripheral edges are chamfered so as to facilitate entry into the opening 17. The individual discs may be in either a planar or disc form such as disc 18 or alternatively in toroidal form such as member 19. It has been determined through testing that the diameter of the disc members 18 or 19 as indicated at “D” is preferably two-thirds of that of the diameter of the opening “d”. By way of specific example, opening 17 preferably has a diameter of three inches, while the diameter “D” of the discs 18 or 19 is two inches.

[0016] With continued attention being directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the upper edge of cube member 11 has upper and lower annular peripheral edges 14 and 14A, with edge 14 being disposed along and coplanar with open top 17A of tube 16. This feature provides an advantage in challenging the skill level of the players, with an errant disc striking edge 14 being more likely to fall within the confines of the open chamber formed between tube 16 and the converging walls of cube member 11. In order to assist players in improving their level skill, the outer surface of target standpipe 16 is made in a color which contrasts with that of receiver cube member 11.

[0017] With attention now being directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the configuration of member 11 is such that the lateral dimension of the outer shell or shroud of receiver 11 are greater at the base than at the top. The base portion 13 telescopically engages the top portion 12, the expanded dimension being sufficient to permit stacking. In addition, the internal dimension of standpipe 16 at the base or bottom area 20 is sufficient to enclose and telescopically meet with the upper portion as at 21. Also, suitable hand-gripping openings may be provided.

[0018] With attention now being directed to FIG. 5 of the drawings, recommended spacing between individuals and target are arranged with reference to the age of the participants. For those of the ages between 5 and 10 years, a spacing of 10 feet has been recommended and has been found suitable and manageable for the enjoyment of such participants. This spacing provides an opportunity for both a challenge and a reward for the participants. As indicated, the individual participants will stand at the distance from the target cube, and then toss the disc from the standing position toward and into the target. Those discs, which are accurately tossed, will enter the opening 17 of vertical standpipe 16, and will provide a predetermined count or score for the participant. Also, for those discs which fail to enter the opening 17, but nevertheless are sufficiently close to be retained on intermediate support surface 15 will provide a lesser point score for the participant tossing the disc.

[0019] As indicated above, the discs are preferably coated with resilient coating, and this coating may be color-coded in order to enable the participants to more readily identify the participants responsible for tossing of the individual discs.

[0020] Various modifications may be made in the configuration of the arrangement illustrated here without departing from the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc toss game comprising, in combination, a target box of frusto-conical configuration having inner and outer walls of square cross-section with top and bottom edges, and having a false bottom interposed between said top and bottom edges, an upstanding conical tube disposed within said target box and being mounted coaxially within said false bottom and coaxially with said target box, and at least one hand-tossed disc having an outer perimeter defined by chamfered edges, the combination being characterized in that: (a) said target box has an axis extending between said top and bottom edges; (b) said conical tube has a disc receiving open mouth formed within the inner diameter of said conical tube, with said disc receiving mouth being disposed coplanar with said target box top edges; and (c) said tube being disposed coaxially with said target box.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said toss disc is substantially two-thirds of the diameter of said disc receiving mouth.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the top edges of said target box and the outer diameter of the upper portion of said conical tube are telescopically received within the bottom edges of said target box and conical tube so as to permit telescopic stacking with a second target box. 